Car Seat Safety 

The safety of your child is important at Kootenai Health - that's one reason why we are the lead agency of Safe Kids Kootenai County. Since four out of five car seats are not used correctly, Kootenai Health has developed a team of car seat specialists to help ensure seats are installed and used properly.

Kootenai's Child Passenger Safety Technicians are fully trained in relevant federal legislation and safety standards, crash dynamics and vehicle occupant protection systems. The technicians can also help you select an appropriate child restraint system and explain how to correctly install it. 

Locations, Dates and Times:
Kootenai Health offers free Car Seat Safety inspections by appointment each Thursday afternoon from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Inspections are done outdoors, under the covered awning by Kootenai Medical Center's emergency entrance or in the parking garage during inclement weather. Follow the signs to the car seat inspections.

Each year, Safe Kids also hosts free Car Seat Safety events throughout the community. 

Cost:
Car seat inspections are FREE. A limited number of car seats are available for qualifying families on a donation basis.

Registration:
Registration is required for Thursday afternoon inspections. To register, call Kootenai Health's Educational Services at (208) 666-2030.

Other Information:
Bring your car seat, vehicle, vehicle owner's manual and child (if possible) to the safety check. A complete car seat inspection takes approximately 30 minutes per seat.

Be prepared for you and your child to spend some time outside your vehicle during the check. Please bring outerwear for you and your child if necessary.

Safe Kids Four Basic Steps to Child Passenger Safety:

Step 1: Infants	Step 2: Toddlers	Step 3: Boosters	Step 4: Safety Belts
Have an Infant? Use a rear-facing car seat to at least age 1 and 20 lbs. Use your rear-facing car seat longer if the seat has higher weight and height limits. Learn More >>	Have a toddler? Use a forward-facing car seat (convertible or combo seat) until the harness no longer fits. Learn More>>	Have a booster? Use a booster seat with the vehicle lap and shoulder safety belts until your child passes the Safety Belt Fit Test. Learn More >>	Have a Safety Belt Kid? Once your child passes the Safety Belt Fit Test, require him or her to use safety belts in a back seat in every vehicle on every ride, whether or not you are there. Learn More >>

Seven Car Seat Safety Tips

1. Have your car seat inspected by a Child Passenger Safety Technician.
2. Read and understand all car seat installation instructions.
3. Never use pillows, books, towels or other objects to boost a child.
4. Never position a shoulder belt under a child's arm or behind their back.
5. Never use a car seat that has been in a car crash. 
6. Never let children ride in the car unrestrained, even if they complain.
7. Never place a child under 100 pounds in front of an air bag